10 Engagement Ring Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2018

In recent seasons, modern brides-to-be have started showing a discerning taste for the avant-garde when it comes to engagement rings—unusual shapes, colorful stones, unique settings, and so forth. The classics will always be the classics, but what can those who crave the unexpected expect in an engagement ring in 2018?

For a little guidance, Glamour went to the pros—Eva Zuckerman, designer of Eva Fehren fine jewelry; Gurki Basra, senior buyer of jewelry and watches at Barneys New York; and Katherine Kim, designer of KatKim fine jewelry—to give us an idea of this year’s biggest alternative engagement ring trends, as well as to shed some light on the drift toward eschewing tradition as it pertains to bridal jewelry.

The 2018 engagement ring motto: Anything goes. Kim says she’s noticed a recent shift toward stone cuts that might've once been considered unusual for bridal jewelry, such as trillion, marquise, and pear shapes. The same goes for stone types, as gray diamonds have started to emerge as a trend. She's not the only one to note this: “I have seen more adventurous, modern, and exciting choices from our clients," says Zuckerman. Among her customers, she says she's seen a pique in interest in portrait-cut diamonds (when the diamond is thinly cut like a sheet of glass), rose-cut stones (these are flat on bottom with a dome-shaped top), and geometric silhouettes.

“Brides aren’t necessarily pulling away from tradition but more so are making tradition their own,” explains Basra. Among the top engagement ring styles shopped for at Barneys New York right now: multiple bands, colored stones, portrait-cut stones, antique and vintage rings, and a mix of metals.

Consider the ring a reflection of yourself. “We're in a time where women can express their individuality with all of their choices, especially their jewelry," Basra notes. “We're seeing brides becoming less picky about sticking to one metal color and being comfortable mixing and matching"—like with mixed-metal rings. Trends that can be described as "unexpected" for engagement rings represent a shift towards uniqueness and craftsmanship, as opposed to tradition. “When you are picking something that is unique to you, that no one else has, or that perhaps you customize to your liking, it will remain a sound ring choice. You’ll never feel like it was tied to a moment in time.”

You don't have to commit to that exact ring style. If you’re drawn to an unusual ring, but worry about your taste changing down the road, you have options. Kim says you can always reset your ring. (“We have couples come to us to re-design their engagement rings for their 10-year anniversary,” she notes.) Zuckerman encourages picking out various bands and stacking them so that your rings can be rearranged in unexpected ways: “It's a great way to achieve a strong, modern, edgy look without committing to an engagement ring that pushes you past your comfort zone.”

“Ten years down the line, if you want to go back to something traditional, its always easy to reset the stone and have your ring look completely different and more traditional and classic,” adds Basra. She recommends a traditional cut like an emerald or oval in an East-West setting, or a square cut like an Asscher, and have it set on a diagonal for a unique look.

Ahead you'll find the 10 engagement ring trends that you're bound to see all over Instagram in 2018.

Rings with unique stone shapes "are distinct and add an element of the unexpected, but they still carry a timeless appeal,” according to Kim. Zuckerman says that, as a designer, she's "always been drawn to strong, geometric, minimal shapes that feel iconic." In the last year, she's noticed customers be more inclined towards "non-traditional stone cuts," too.

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Pear-Shaped Stones

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Trillion-Cut Diamonds

Trillion-cut diamonds are triangular in shape and highly faceted—in other words: They’re incredibly shiny. The alternative cut feels especially unique in an off-kilter setting, and it's perfect for the bride-to-be craving a geometric look but not quite drawn to Asscher or emerald cuts.

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Trillion-Cut Diamonds

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Trillion-Cut Diamonds

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: East-West Styles

"East-West styles have been very popular because they're actually more comfortable and a natural fit on the hand than traditional north-south [settings]," Basra explains. The horizontal arrangement is well-suited for everyday wear, she adds—something you'll likely want out of an engagement ring.

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: East-West Styles

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Marquise-Cut Diamonds

Marquise-cut diamonds are curved on their sides and come to sharp points at both ends. The oblong shape tends to make the stone appear larger than it really is, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious shoppers. The cut dates back to the 18th century, but you can find plenty of modern riffs on the style thanks to minimal design, East-West, or off-kilter settings.

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Marquise-Cut Diamonds

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Marquise-Cut Diamonds

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Hexagon Cuts

"Geometric cuts—and in particular hexagons—are having a surge in popularity because they feel strong, modern and iconic," notes Zuckerman. "The cuts are often similar in brilliance to a traditional round diamond, but they have a twist, which makes them feel incredibly fresh—classic with an edge."

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Hexagon Cuts

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Two-Stone Settings

For the more-is-more person, a two-stone engagement ring is ideal. Play with proportion by choosing a style that combines different-sized stones together, or freshen up a classic cut stone with a distinctive setting. You can add color to the mix, too, by teaming a diamond and gemstone together—perhaps your birthstone?

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Two-Stone Settings

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Two-Stone Settings

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Asscher and Geometric Cuts

Drawn to sharp lines? Consider a geometric or Asscher-cut diamond. (Asschers are similar to square emerald-cut stones, but typically have larger step facets for more brilliance.) Basra says these types of stones feel most modern when set on a diagonal, which make for a super-unique look.

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Asscher and Geometric Cuts

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Asscher and Geometric Cuts

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Multiple Bands

According to the experts, stacking rings or rings with multiple bands allow for a new level of personalization in bridal jewelry—not to mention, more options for wear. "I encourage my clients to get unique combinations of bands that they can stack and rearrange in unexpected ways," says Zuckerman, noting that it allows the owner to reinvent the look of the ring as often as they'd like. What's more, you "can keep adding rings to mark important milestones in [your] life—it's a great way to achieve a strong, modern, edgy look without committing to an engagement ring that pushes you past your comfort zone.”

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Multiple Bands

2018 Engagement Ring Trends: Grey Diamonds

With color as a continuing trend, set yourself apart with a grey diamond, an edgier alternative that suits price-conscious shoppers. Kim says she often gets requests to have them cut in oval, marquise, and trillion style.